Here's How Often You Should Be Vacuuming Wood Floors

Because hardwood floors can be sensitive to moisture, vacuuming is the best way to remove the dust and debris that can gather in the crevices. How often this should be done is sometimes a matter of debate, but as a general rule of thumb, about once a week should be adequate. High-traffic areas or places with an excess of crumbs or dirt may need more attention. 

Keeping hardwood floors looking spotless can be difficult, especially if you have children or pets. Dust gathers on the surface quite easily, and you may need to vacuum hardwood floors more often than you vacuum carpet simply because the dirt will be visible right away. The plus side is that vacuuming regularly will help extend their lifespan, preventing damage and scratches caused by consistently walking over dusty, particle-laden floors. Keep these simple tips in mind to help you keep your hardwood floors looking their best!

Many people are under the mistaken impression that it's not safe to vacuum hardwood floors. While it's true that certain vacuum cleaners can damage wood floors, with the right one, it's much faster and easier! Because wood floors do attract a lot of dust and allergens, sweeping the floor can simply stir up those particles into the air. With vacuuming, it sucks up those annoying irritants and effectively eliminates them.

For those with seasonal allergies, any task that triggers them is dreaded. Dust mites are always present, albeit invisible, and the longer you put it off, the worse it becomes. Vacuuming hardwood floors at least once a week will help keep these particles at bay. If you have trouble with dust in between regular vacuuming, you can do a quick run-through using a microfiber cloth dry mop to keep things spotless.

When looking for a vacuum for your hardwood floors, the most important thing is to avoid a model with a stiff rotating brush, as that will put it at risk for damage. Additionally, look for a vacuum with padded wheels or soft rubber. Wheels or tough nylon roller brushes are typically the culprits of unsightly scratching.

As long as the vacuum has good suction power, cylinder vacuum cleaners typically work best because they don't have a rotating brush bar. You can sometimes find a decent "stick vacuum" without a rotating brush bar, which makes a terrific choice due to its light weight and ease of use. Many modern vacuums even come equipped with a hardwood floor head or a hard floor setting that deactivates the brush and increases the suction power, so you can protect your floor while ensuring it gets the best clean possible.